How To Style Your Bathroom From Home

Over the past few days or weeks, you’ve likely spent more time indoors than ever before. In a bid to protect our NHS, we have taken to our homes and reserved ourselves to the hermit life for the foreseeable future. The more time we spend indoors, the more likely we are to notice the little things that niggle at us. Perhaps that dated bath always fell at the bottom of the To-Do list when you only saw it for the 20 minutes of bathtime. Or maybe that dated magnolia wall paint has finally begun to show its cracks. Just because you’re staying in, doesn’t mean you can’t take control of your household interior. From a major overhaul to a few smaller tweaks, now is the perfect time to start planning your dream bathroom with the help of our top tips. 

Start with an overhead floor plan 

With any room renovation, the practicality should always come into the design. A beautiful room is only as useful as the components and appliances that sit within it. One of the first things a professional bathroom designer would do is to create a birds-eye sketch of your bathroom to better understand the space. The technology that goes hand-in-hand with that is complex, however, there is nothing stopping you from quickly sketching out your bathroom with a pencil and paper. Create one that shows your bathroom as it is now - with all the appliances mapped out. Add in measurements of the walls to give a clearer understanding of what you’re working with. It’s great having the vision of a roll-top freestanding bath but if your space is more akin to a double-hinged, fully folding shower for practicality, you need to know before placing an order. 

Consider colour schemes/themes

You may already know exactly how you want your bathroom to look. Or, you might have a rough idea and need direction. Now is the time to begin researching themes. Pinterest is the best place to start. Search for generic terms at first - think ‘small bathroom designs’ or ‘family bathrooms’ - and scroll. Pin any photos that catch your eye and make a note of the specific features in the captions section. Do this a few times and then review your boards. Is there a running theme? Can you pick out appliances or colours schemes you think will fit perfectly? 

Other places to find inspiration are on the websites of bathroom showrooms here in the UK. Companies such as West One Bathrooms and Ripples showcase hundreds of bathroom looks that their own interior designers have created. 

Research fixtures and appliances

Once you’ve drilled down a theme and colour scheme, you can begin looking at fixtures. By this, we mean taps, handles and showerheads. Other items such as bathtubs, vanity units and shower spaces should all tie together for a uniformed look. Consider metal finishes - black goes perfectly with gold and polished chrome is always a timeless, popular choice. For classic, British-made quality, consider companies including Grohe and Vado, have a wide range of bathroom accessories in uniformed collections. You’ll want fixtures that can withstand expected use - for example, opt for harder wearing options in family bathrooms and more luxurious choices in guest en-suites. 

Include storage

One thing every room needs is plenty of places to store those essential items. And, bathrooms are no such exception. When designing your dream bathroom, consider integrated and clever storage in your designs. Think shelves built into the walls in shower enclosures or wall-hung vanities with wicker baskets underneath. Consider all the items you’ll need to keep in the bathroom but won’t necessarily want on show. Towels, surplus bath soaps and personal items all need a dedicated space. The extent of the bathroom industry today means you’re likely to find storage options out there that fit your needs. But if not, consider speaking to a local carpenter to gauge the price of bespoke units. 

Speak to a professional

We would always recommend running your ideas past a professional bathroom designer. Not only do these talented individuals have the experience to fool-proof your plans, but they also have a wealth of contacts. If you have a specific sink design or wall tile in mind, bathroom designers are the best placed to source these out for you. 

If you visit our Showroom Locator, you’ll find a list of the most experienced, talented and enthusiastic bathroom designers. Many of our showrooms are still working remotely during the lockdown and will be able to offer their expert advice, helping you create a dream bathroom.